Dahlia plant named &#39;DAELLEVE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DAELLEVE’ characterized by its ray floret color (when opening, upper side): base: Purple, RHS 67A; apex: Red-purple, RHS 62D; capitulum (composite flower head): 9.5 to 10.5 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 120 to 160); mature leaves are about 6 to 11 cm in length, mostly compound, with 1-5 leaflets and immature leaves are about 3 to 6 cm in length, compound, with 1-5 leaflets; and vigorous plant vigor, growing upright to outward to form cylindrical-shaped plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Dahlia sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAELLEVE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahliaplant, botanically known as Dahlia sp. of the Compositae (Asteraceae)family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAELLEVE’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Rune Harboe Nielsen, in Odense, Denmark. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia varietywith a compact, strong, and healthy growth habit, suitable for largescale container production; fully double flowering creating aglobular-shaped flower head (composite flower heads with many rayflorets); and flower heads with new, vibrant colors.

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in 2003, in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. Thefemale or seed parent is a Dahlia cultivar designated ‘01.149L’(unpatented). The male or pollen parent is a Dahlia cultivar designated‘DASEKS’ (unpatented in the U.S., granted as EU-CPVO application number19981438). The new Dahlia ‘DAELLEVE’ was discovered and selected by theinventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the statedcross in May of 2004 in a controlled environment in Odense, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by vegetative cuttingswas first performed in August of 2004 in Odense, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DAELLEVE’, which in combinationdistinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Ray floret color (when opening, upper side): Base: Purple,        RHS 67A; Apex: Red-purple, RHS 62D;    -   2. Capitulum (composite flower head): 9.5 to 10.5 cm in        diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 120 to 160);    -   3. Foliage: Mature leaves are about 6 to 11 cm in length, mostly        compound, with 1-5 leaflets and immature leaves are about 3 to 6        cm in length, compound, with 1-5 leaflets;    -   4. Plant Vigor and Growth Habit: Vigorous, grows upright to        outward to form cylindrical-shaped plant.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DAELLEVE’ differ from plants of the maleparent ‘DASEKS’ (unpatented in the U.S., granted as EU-CPVO applicationnumber 19981438) in the characteristics described in Table 1. Plants ofthe female parent ‘01.149L’ (unpatented) are unavailable for comparisonto plants of ‘DAELLEVE’. TABLE 1 Male Parent ‘DASEKS’ (unpatented in NewCultivar US, granted as Characteristic ‘DAELLEVE’ EU-CPVO 19981438)Color of Ray Bi-color Red-purple, RHS 60A Floret (when Base: Purple, RHS67A. opening, upper Apex: Red-purple, RHS 62D. side): Capitulum 9.5 to10.5 mm 50 to 70 mm Diameter: Foliage: Mostly compound, with Singleleaves. 1-5 leaflets. Growth Habit: Grows upright with slight Growserect to semi- spread to form cylindrical- erect in compact shaped plantplant shape.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DAELLEVE’ is the Dahlia‘PAPAGAYA’ (granted as EU-CPVO application number 20031209), in thecharacteristics described in Table 2: TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar‘PAPAGAYA’ (granted as EU-CPVO New Cultivar application numberCharacteristic ‘DAELLEVE’ 20031209) Color of Ray Bi-color Bi-colorFloret (when Base: Purple, RHS 67A. Base: Red, 46B. opening, upper Apex:Red-purple, RHS 62D. Apex: White, RHS 155B. side): Number of Ray About120 to 160 About 40 to 90 Florets. Capitulum 9.5 to 10.5 mm 8 to 9 cmDiameter: Foliage: Mostly compound, with Mostly single, few 1-5leaflets. compound, tri-lobed. Plant Vigor and Vigorous, grows uprightVigorous, grows upright Growth Habit: with slight spread to andspreading to form form cylindrical-shaped globular-shaped plant. plantPlant Height: About 40 to 45 cm About 30 to 35 cm Plant Spread: About 35to 45 cm About 40 to 45 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dahlia ‘DAELLEVE’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of‘DAELLEVE’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘DAELLEVE’ in a 15 cm pot (volume 2 liters), at 9 weeks of age afterpotting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a fully opened capitulum of‘DAELLEVE’ (as identified by breeder reference 03.217B), at 9 weeks ofage after potting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical capitulum of ‘DAELLEVE’ (asidentified by breeder reference 03.217B) in different stages ofdevelopment.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up top view of the typical foliage of ‘DAELLEVE’(as identified by breeder reference 03.217B), at 9 weeks of age afterpotting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DAELLEVE’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DAELLEVE’as grown in a protected environment in a glass, greenhouse in Fyn,Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted ina glass, greenhouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in smallpropagation pots with peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastictunnel averaging about 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of18 hours. Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below3000-4000 Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In thirdweek after planting, young plants were potted in an 11 cm pot in aglass, greenhouse maintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at17° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatments werecontinued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given when naturallight fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The ECmeasured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One week afterpotting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85%daminozide, 0.2%, 25 ml/m². During the production time, 4 additionalsprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 70-100 ml/m².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The ageof the ‘DAELLEVE’ plants described is 12 weeks (including propagationtime).

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia sp.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia cultivar designated ‘01.149L’            (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia cultivar designated ‘DASEKS’            (unpatented in U.S., granted as EU-CPVO application number            19981438).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Rooting description.—Fibrous and freely-branching.        -   Height of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can grow            to about 30 to 40 cm.        -   Diameter of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can            grow to about 30 to 40 cm.        -   Color of roots.—White, RHS 155B.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days at 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 21 days at 21° C.            during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.        -   Tubers.—Will form under short day conditions, 12 hours of            darkness. Tubers may develop in late summer/early autumn            when planted outdoors.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 9 to 10 weeks are required            to produce finished flowering plants in 15 cm pots.        -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Form.—Cylindrical, grows upright and outward.        -   Size.—Height (from soil level to top of plant plane): About            40 to 45 cm. Height (from soil level to top of foliage):            About 25 to 35 cm. Spread: About 35 to 45 cm.        -   Stem.—Appearance/Shape: Circular, hollow, glabrous, ridged.            Diameter: About 8 to 12 cm. Aspect: Upright to outward.            Strength: Strong. Texture: Glaucous. Pubescence: None.            Color: Grey-brown, RHS 200B.        -   Lateral branches.—Quantity per plant: About 6 to 7 (when            pinching over 3 pair of leaves). Length: (including            inflorescences): About 25 to 40 cm. (from break to base of            peduncle): About 12 to 15 cm. Diameter: About 8 to 12 mm.            Color: Grey-brown, RHS 200B. Habit: Freely branching. Basal            Branching: Yes Pinching: Pinching recommended. Internode            length: About 3 to 8 cm.        -   Foliage.—Type: First 2 to 3 pairs on basic lateral branch            are single. Thereafter, compound with about 3 to 5 leaflets.            Quantity of leaves per lateral branch: About 4 to 10.            Quantity of leaflets per compound leaf: About 1 to 5. Color            (leaves and leaflets): Color (mature): Upper side: Green,            RHS 139A. Under side: Grayed-green, RHS 191B. Color            (immature): Upper side: Green, RHS 139B. Under side: Green,            RHS 138A. Venation (leaves and leaflets): Pattern: Pinnate.            Color: Upper side: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Under side:            Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Simple Leaves: Arrangement:            Opposite, decussate. Length: Mature leaves (at base): 8 to            10 cm. Immature leaves: 4 to 6 cm. Width: Mature leaves: 4            to 6 cm. Immature leaves: 2.5 to 4 cm. Shape: Elliptical,            cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base. Margin: Dentate.            Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi-circular,            with deep furrow on adaxial side. Length: About 2 to 7 cm.            Diameter: About 3 to 6 mm. Color: Upper side: Brown, RHS            200B; Under side Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Compound Leaves:            Arrangement and shape: Compound with 3 to 5 leaflets. Leaves            near the petiole are often tri-lobed or single. Length: Up            to 25 cm, generally about 15 cm. Width: Up to 22 cm,            generally about 14 cm. Shape: Elliptical, acuminate tip,            decurrent base. Margin: Dentate Texture (both sides):            Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi-circular. Length: About 2 to            5 cm. Diameter: About 3 to 6 mm. Color: Upper side: Brown,            RHS 200B. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Leaflets of            Compound Leaf: Terminal: Quantity: One. Length: About 5 to            9 cm. Width: About 3 to 4 cm. Rachis: Length: About 3 to            5 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 5 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS            146A. Lateral: Quantity: About 2 to 4. Length: About 4 to            9 cm. Width: About 2 to 5 cm.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,            flowering occurs continuously during growing season (In            Denmark, from June to beginning of October). Plants can be            brought to flower anytime when grown under the recommended            greenhouse conditions.        -   Time to first flower.—About 8 to 9 weeks from potting of a            rooted cutting.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on plant.—Depending on            weather conditions, about 7 to 12 days.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Type.—Capitulum (composite flower head).        -   Arrangement.—Persistent, single, composite inflorescences            from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets arranged acropetally            on a capitulum.        -   Flowering aspect.—Upright, slightly spreading. Young flower            head/buds initially 70° to 90° turning to 0° to 30° when            flower head opens.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch.—About 1            open capitulum and 3 buds.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Bud.—Quantity: About 3 to 5 per lateral stem (buds continue            to develop when the dead composite flower heads are            removed). Rate of Opening: About 4 to 10 days for bud to            progress from first color to fully opened capitulum,            depending on temperature and light conditions. Shape:            Globular. Length (when color shows): About 1.5 to 2.0 cm.            Diameter (when color shows): About 1.0 to 2.0 cm. Texture:            Glabrous, shining. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144B.        -   Peduncle.—Length: About 10 to 16 cm. Diameter: About 4 to 5            cm Strength: Strong Aspect (angle to vertical): First            flower: About 0° to 10°; Second flower: About 20° to 30°.            Color: Greyed-purple, RHS N187B (at base), turning into            green, RHS 138B.        -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 6 to            7 cm. Inflorescence diameter: About 9.5 to 11 cm. Disc            diameter: About 1.4 cm Receptacle diameter: About 1.6 cm            Receptacle height: About 0.9 cm.        -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 8-10 whorls of            ray florets, each with 12 to 18 florets to equal a total of            about 120 to 160 ray florets per capitulum depending on            light and temperature conditions. Overall shape: Circular to            elliptic, involute at the sides and with a rounded tip. Apex            shape: Elliptic. Base shape: Acuminate, fused to form tube.            Length: About 35 to 45 mm. Diameter (Width): About 20 to            25 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper side: Glabrous. Under            side: Glabrous with visible veins. Orientation: Initially            15° from vertical, with development, to 160° from vertical.            Color: Development and tones of color for florets may change            slightly depending on light and temperature conditions. Area            with apex color increases when the composite flower head is            opening. When opening: Upper side: Base: Purple, RHS 67A.            Apex: Red-purple, RHS 62D. When fully opened: Upper side:            Base: Purple, RHS 67A. Apex: Red-purple, RHS 62D. Just            before senescence: Upper side: Base: Purple, RHS 67A. Apex:            Red-purple, RHS 62D.        -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of capitulum,            about 40-90 disc florets per capitulum, which are            yellow-white in color at the lower half, but appear more            yellow in appearance, due to the transparent corollas and            the underlying yellow color from the anthers. Appearance:            Tubular to single, fused corolla. Overall shape: Tubular.            Apex shape: Star with 5 triangular tips. Base shape: Fused            to tube. Length: About 4 to 6 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm.            Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous,            translucent. Color: Transparent, yellow-white, RHS 158C,            letting the yellow, RHS 13A color of the anthers come            through (before anthesis), to yellow-orange, RHS 20A (at            anthesis).        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity: One subtending each floret. About 160            to 200 phyllaries per capitulum. Appearance and arrangement:            Thin, translucent, papery. Phyllaries, arranged acropetally            on the capitulum. Overall shape: Subulate. Apex shape: Acute            with rounded tip. Base shape: Fused. Length: About 10 to            14 mm. Width: About 5 to 8 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both            sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 151D, to            green, RHS 139D, at base. Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 151D,            to green, RHS 139D, at base.        -   Bracts.—Quantity: About 5 to 8. Appearance and arrangement:            Reflexed, involucral bracts. Overall shape: Subovate. Apex            shape: Acute to rounded. Base shape: Sessile. Length: About            8 to 12 mm. Width: About 5 to 8 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture            (both sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Upper side: Green,            RHS 139A. Under side: Green, RHS 138B. Immature: Upper side:            Green, RHS 139A. Under side: Green, RHS 138B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—        -   Stamen.—Number: 5, fused into synandrous tube around style.            Disc florets fertile, ray florets sterile. Length: About 8            to 10 mm.        -   Anther.—Shape: Tubular Length: About 4 to 5 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Scarce. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.        -   Gynoecium.—        -   Pistil.—Quantity: One. Length: About 8 to 10 mm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Bifurcate. Length: About 4 to 8 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.        -   Style.—Length: About 6 to 8 mm. Color: Green-yellow, RHS 1B.        -   Ovary.—Diameter: About 1 mm Color: Yellow-green 151C.-   Seed/fruit: None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to    Dahlia have not been observed.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests    common to Dahlia have not been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.    (but flowering ceases at constant temperature of 12° C.) and    tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. High temperatures    might reduce flowering.-   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate    formulation).

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DAELLEVE’, asdescribed and illustrated herein.